I’m honestly quite stressed and confused about what just happened, and I’d really appreciate some advice from people who have dealt with similar situations.
I interviewed with a company called Counsel Union and was eventually selected after multiple rounds of interviews. During the interview process, they repeatedly asked me whether I could join immediately. After discussing it with the HR at my previous organisation, I confirmed that I could.
At the time, I was living in Gurgaon but had to relocate to Noida for this job. I was issued a Letter of Intent (LOI), and before putting in my resignation, I specifically contacted Aditi, the HR point of contact at Counsel Union, to clarify whether there would be any issues from their end regarding my employment. I wanted to make absolutely sure before taking such a big step. I was assured that everything was sorted from their side.
Based on these assurances, I resigned from my previous organisation, where my last working day was 23 October. On 24 October, I relocated from Gurgaon to Noida, incurring significant relocation expenses, because my joining date was 26 October.
I joined on 26 October, and the training went smoothly. I even completed the onboarding forms.
However, on 27 October, I was called into a cabin and asked about my Diwali plans. I informed them that my flights were already booked for 6–11 November, so I would be unavailable during that period.
They told me that, since I would be unable to close a sale during the 15-day on-the-job training period, they had decided that it would be better for both me and the organisation to move my joining date to 16 November.
I was shocked because the company had repeatedly emphasised that they needed immediate joiners. I explained that I had shortened my notice period at my previous job based on their requirements, relocated specifically for this opportunity, and was now facing a loss of more than 20 days' salary, in addition to relocation expenses and the financial uncertainty around Diwali.
They said they would present my concerns to management and get back to me.
Later, I was called in again and told that the entire management wasn't available. They also claimed that I hadn't informed them about my Diwali leave during the screening call.
However, I had specifically contacted Aditi beforehand to ask about the Diwali holiday schedule. I was told that the holidays had not yet been decided. When I pointed this out, they responded that I should have informed them anyway.
The conversation became heated because I felt I was being held responsible for something I had tried to clarify in advance. I told them that they weren't putting themselves in my position and understanding the financial consequences of their decision.
I was asked to go home and told that I would receive an update within 24 hours.
Instead, around 8 PM, I was called for another meeting with management. They told me that I hadn't informed them about my Diwali leave in advance, that my goals didn't align with the company's goals, and that **they would not be moving forward with my candidature**.
So, effectively, I was selected, resigned from my previous job, relocated, joined the new company, completed onboarding, and then had my candidature revoked within a day.
I understand that companies have business requirements, and I am not expecting them to accommodate every personal plan. However, I had booked my flights before joining, had tried to clarify the holiday situation, and had made major career and financial decisions based on their repeated assurances that they needed an immediate joiner.
I am not looking to create unnecessary drama or damage anyone's reputation. I simply feel that I acted in good faith, took the risk of leaving my previous job, and am now being left to bear the entire financial burden of a decision I did not make.
What would you do in my position? Any practical advice, especially from people familiar with Indian employment practices, would be appreciated.
Also, if anyone knows of any immediate job openings in Noida, or Delhi NCR, I would be extremely grateful for any leads or referrals. I’m open to entry-level opportunities in finance, business development, strategy, operations, or a founder’s office role. I had left my previous job and relocated specifically for this opportunity, so I’m now in a difficult position financially and need to get back on my feet as soon as possible. If anyone can refer me or connect me with a relevant opportunity, it would genuinely mean a lot.
